Dodgers Rumors: Insider Predicts Path to LA for Aaron Nola
It’s no secret that the Dodgers will be making an all-out attempt to land two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani this winter, but the team does have plenty of other needs across the roster as well. One of them being in the starting rotation, where LA really struggled last season.
The Dodgers are expected to be aggressive in their plans to build out the rotation, and it could see them abandon their normally conservative approach to free agency with pitchers. LA needs at least one top-of-the-line starter, and then one or two lower-tier guys.
MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic sees the Dodgers missing out in the Ohtani sweepstakes, but he has them landing a former All-Star pitching to front their rotation.
“Aaron Nola signs a five-year, $125 million deal with the Dodgers about 24 hours after they learn that they’ve lost out on Ohtani.”
Per Jim Bowden of The Athletic
Losing out on Ohtani would sting, but if the Dodgers were to pivot to land Nola, it would take the shock away a little bit. Nola has led the Phillies for years, and he has been great in the postseason for them.
He is exactly the type of pitcher that LA needs to go after this offseason, and he would instantly bolster their starting rotation. This past season, Nola posted an ERA of 4.46 in 32 starts, while striking out 202 batters in 192.2 innings of work.
This postseason, Nola posted an ERA of 2.35 in four starts for the Phillies. He was lights out when the lights shined brightest, and the Dodgers could use a starter like that.
He is only 30 years old as well, so there is plenty of time for him to stay in his prime. Plus, being around the Dodgers pitching staff could help Nola increase his already dominant stuff on the mound.
While Philadelphia likely wants to keep Nola, the Dodgers may not allow themselves to lose the bidding war if they lose out on Ohtani. LA knows that they seriously need to upgrade the rotation this winter, and landing Nola would do wonders for that.
Hopefully, the team can sign both Ohtani and a front-line starter to help the roster going forward. It’s about time that LA went all-in over an offseason, and this seems like the perfect chance for them to do just that.
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PITCHING, PITCHING, especially starting pitching MUST be a priority. Anyone who saw this year’s NLDS can see that. Ohtani would be great but they can’t stop there.
PITCHING YOU ARE SO RIGHT. SO NO MORE URIAS. MID SEASON KERSHAW? DUSTIN MAY? CAN BUEHLER BE HEALTHY AND DOMINANT? PEPPIOT COULD BE VERY GOOD. GONSOLIN OUT ALL YEAR.
1ST SIGN-MONTGOMERY TOP PRIOITY DH-RESIGN JD-MARTINEZ, OF – JASON HEYWARD,
2ND SNELL SIGN BELLINGER. JUSTIN TURNER, OR MIKE TROUT IF JD WALKS
3RD WACCA
4TH NOLA
5TH RODRIUEZ
6TH JORDAN HICKS
7TH LIAM HENDRICKS
* I AM NOT GONNA BE MAD IF THEY GIVE OHTANI ALL THAT MONEY BUT I DON’T THINK HE SOLVES THEIR ISSUES. I’D RATHER GET 3 OF THOSE 5 PITCHERS – ONE RELIEVER AND I THINK THE FAN BASE WOULD LOVE A RETURN OF TURNER AND BELLINGER ASSUMING JD SPLITS ELSEWHERE.
BECAUSE IF OHTANI’S GETS INJURED WERE TOAST. FOR 600 MILLION SPREAD OUT $$$ OVER 7 OTHER GUYS. THEN WE’RE COVERED. OR TRADE FOR CORBIN BURNES IF THAT’S BETTER.
Forget Ohtani. If there was certainty that he could pitch again effectively after his elbow surgery, I’d say sign him. However, to be paying what they will have to for a DH is not smart, especially given the fact they will have to wait until 2025 to even begin using him as a pitcher. Spend the $$$$$ instead on two quality starters.
I totally agree Richard. I’m really tired of constantly hearing about Ohtani. We need pitching now. Sign Martinez and get a couple of quality pitchers!
BLAKE SNELL OR BUST! STOP MESSING WITH 2-3 TIER PITCHERS LIKE NOLA & CEASE! DIDN’T YOU ACCOUNTANTS/HEDGE FUND/INVESTMENT BANKERS (KASTEN-FRIEDMAN) LEARN YOUR LESSON WITH LANCE LYNN? YOU BETTER DELIVER ANDREW OR YOUR ASS IS GRASS!